Jeddah Book Fair set to showcase rising Saudi literary scene

The event reinforces Saudi Arabia’s position as a cultural hub attracting major publishers, content creators and investors. (SPA)
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Updated 09 December 2025
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Jeddah Book Fair set to showcase rising Saudi literary scene

  • This year’s cultural program reflects the Kingdom’s heritage, with over 170 events including lectures, panel discussions and workshops

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission is preparing to host the Jeddah Book Fair from Dec. 11 to 20 at Jeddah Superdome, bringing together more than 1,000 local and international publishing houses and agencies from 24 countries across 400 booths. 

Held under the slogan “Jeddah Reads,” the fair is part of the commission’s “Saudi Reads” campaign, which seeks to strengthen the Saudi literary landscape by encouraging reading and creating meaningful engagement between authors and audiences.  




Jeddah Book Fair’s cultural program reflects the Kingdom’s heritage. (Supplied/@saudibookfairs)

Dr. Abdullatif Al-Wasil, CEO of the commission, said the Jeddah Book Fair reflects the leadership’s continued commitment to cultural development and the rapid growth of the Kingdom’s literature, publishing and translation sector.

He highlighted the fair’s interactive programs for publishers, authors, translators and the public, which are designed to enhance content quality, support creative development and foster knowledge partnerships.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Jeddah Book Fair seeks to strengthen the Saudi literary landscape by encouraging reading and creating meaningful engagement between authors and audiences.  

• It will host prominent writers, thinkers and cultural figures from Saudi Arabia and abroad, offering a 10-day schedule of literary, intellectual and scientific events. 

• The fair will continue to support emerging Saudi voices through the Saudi Authors’ Corner for self-published writers.

The event also reinforces Saudi Arabia’s position as a cultural hub attracting major publishers, content creators and investors.

This year’s cultural program reflects the Kingdom’s heritage, with over 170 events including lectures, panel discussions and workshops. A dedicated children’s zone will feature literary and entertainment activities tailored to young visitors, along with competitions to inspire reading and creativity.

The fair will host prominent writers, thinkers and cultural figures from Saudi Arabia and abroad, offering a 10-day schedule of literary, intellectual and scientific events. 

Book-signing stations will give readers the chance to meet their favorite authors, while cultural organizations, community groups and universities will present their latest publications and initiatives.  

A manga and anime zone will highlight collectibles from the genre, alongside specialized books. A discounted books section will also be available to promote wider access to reading.  

The fair will continue to support emerging Saudi voices through the Saudi Authors’ Corner for self-published writers, where hundreds of titles across literary and cultural fields will be showcased, underscoring the fair’s role in nurturing local talent and enriching the Kingdom’s evolving literary scene.

 


Saudi food safety watchdog conducts inspections ahead of Ramadan

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Saudi food safety watchdog conducts inspections ahead of Ramadan

  • Violations of food safety law can result in fines up to SR10m, suspension of operations, or imprisonment

RIYADH: The Saudi Food and Drug Authority carried out field visits ahead of Ramadan, inspecting the readiness of monitoring systems at food factories and warehouses in several parts of the Kingdom to ensure that safety standards were being met in preparation for the holy month.

The Saudi food safety watchdog media department informed Arab News on Tuesday that SFDA CEO Hisham S. Aljadhey accompanied the inspection teams as they conducted field visits in Jeddah and that a number of non-compliant establishments were closed.

The SFDA highlighted that strict legal action is underway, noting that violations of the food safety law can result in fines up to SR10 million ($2.7 million), suspension of operations, or imprisonment.

Field efforts included intensifying oversight of production lines in food factories, verifying facilities’ compliance with storage requirements in warehouses under the SFDA’s supervision, and ensuring the safety of operational practices before products reached the market.

Aljadhey stressed that the SFDA holds a zero-tolerance policy toward food safety violations, from factories and warehouses to the point of market entry, asserting that monitoring efforts would continue throughout the Kingdom.

Aljadhey, accompanied by the inspection teams, also visited on Monday food factories and warehouses in the Makkah region, where several non-compliant establishments were closed.

The SFDA said that it is intensifying nationwide monitoring in cooperation with relevant government authorities to ensure the quality, safety, and nutritional data accuracy of products in high demand during the holy month, as well as their compliance with health standards.

This comprehensive oversight verifies strict adherence to manufacturing, storage, and traceability standards, guaranteeing that only compliant products reach the market.

The SFDA reaffirmed its commitment to conducting continuous inspections to verify that food establishments adhere to health requirements.

“By monitoring safety throughout the production and storage stages, the authority ensures consumer protection,” said the CEO.